US10507420B2

US10507420B2 - V-type filter frame

Info

Publication number: US10507420B2
Application number: US15/513,921
Authority: US
Inventors: Mathieu Hugues
Original assignee: Camfil AB
Current assignee: Camfil AB
Priority date: 2014-09-25
Filing date: 2014-09-25
Publication date: 2019-12-17
Also published as: EP3197583B1; CA2962495C; CN106999821A; ES2709426T3; CN106999821B; CA2962495A1; EP3197583A1; WO2016045730A1; MY195842A; US20180117515A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a molded plastic rectangular front plate for a V-type filter, said front plate having a front surface and a back surface, characterized in that

the back surface of the front plate comprises a support structure protruding in a plane substantially perpendicular to the back surface of the front plate and extending along a major portion of the length of a side of the back surface of the front plate such that the thickness of the front plate in the direction from the front surface to the back surface is increased towards the middle and reduced towards the ends of the front plate side. The present invention further relates to a V-type filter frame and a V-type filter assembly comprising such a front plate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to V-type filter assemblies for removing contaminants from a gas flow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

V-type filter assemblies comprising media packs disposed in a frame structure are known. A V-type filter typically includes two or more pairs of filter media packs arranged in a V-configuration. Each filter pack may be comprised of a pleated particulate or gas filter element. A media pack is typically formed from a sheet of filter media, e.g. a fiberglass sheet, or a nonwoven polyester sheet or membrane media or combinations thereof or the like, which is pleated to increase the effective filtering area of the filter body, and provided with cover plates. To provide mechanical support and/or to combine a plurality of media packs, the media pack is typically arranged in a frame structure.

A prior art filter frame for receiving several media packs is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,696, which discloses a filter frame comprising two side plates, which have male connection elements, and two frame beams having female connection elements, which are interconnected with the male connection elements of the side plates. Thereby a square frame is formed which supports the media packs. In other words, the media packs rest on the frame beams and on support structures of the side plates.

The filter assemblies are typically mounted in a filter holding structure. The filter holding structure may for example comprise a filter housing or filter bank grid, with one or more openings in which the filter assemblies are fitted.

In high gas flow applications, e.g. in gas turbine systems, filter assemblies such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,696 are subjected to high external forces which can cause deformation of the filter assembly, resulting in gas leakage between the parts of the filter assembly or between the filter assembly and the filter holding structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a filter frame, and particularly a filter frame front plate, that has improved resistance to deformation of the filter assembly in high gas flow applications.

The object is achieved by a filter frame front plate as will be described in detail herein, and a filter frame comprising such a front plate.

V-type filter frames can comprise first and second side plates and a front plate which is coupled to the side plates. The V-type filter frames are configured to house one or more pairs of rectangular filter packs, each pair forming a V shape, such that the mouth of the V shape faces the front plate. The front plate comprises a rectangular or square peripherally extending rim and parallel troughs extending between opposite ends of the front plate for receiving the front edges of filter media packs. The front plate comprises one or more apertures configured to be aligned with the mouths of the V shape filter pack pairs. The side plates each comprise a front edge portion, located upstream an airflow, and an opposite rear edge portion, located downstream an airflow, and an inner surface, facing the inner clean side of the filter assembly, and an outer surface, facing the outer soiled side of the filter assembly. A front edge of each filter pack is sealed against the front plate and two opposite side edges of each filter pack are sealed to the first and second side plates respectively.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a molded plastic rectangular front plate for a V-type filter, said front plate having a front surface and a back surface, characterized in that the back surface of the front plate comprises a support structure protruding in a plane substantially perpendicular to the back surface of the front plate and extending along a major portion of the length of a side of the back surface of the front plate such that the thickness of the front plate in the direction from the front surface to the back surface is increased towards the middle and reduced towards the ends of the front plate side.

It has been found that by the use of support structures in accordance with the present invention, the resistance to deformation of the filter assembly in high gas flow applications can be significantly improved. This improvement has been surprisingly found to be even higher in practice than in theory, which is believed to be due to that the addition of the support structure causes the centre of gravity of the front plate to be displaced in a direction from the front surface to the back surface of the front plate as compared to the same front plate side without the support structure. This is believed to induce an internal tension in the molded plastic material during injection molding, which tension counteracts the stress on the front plate caused by the air pressure load during use.

As an additional advantage, the improvement of the resistance to deformation can be achieved without changing the outer dimensions of the filter frame and with little or no increase in product weight and materials consumption.

In accordance with an embodiment the molded plastic rectangular front plate is formed in a single piece.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, the front plate is manufactured by injection molding.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, a lateral view of the support structure has the shape of a circular segment.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, the support structure is arranged to protrude into an opening of the filter holding structure when mounted to a filter holding structure.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, the support structure causes the centre of gravity of the front plate to be displaced in a direction from the front surface to the back surface of the front plate as compared to the same front plate side without the support structure.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, the presence of the support structure induces an internal tension in the molded plastic material, which tension counteracts the stress on the front plate caused by the air pressure load during use.

In a preferred embodiment, the molded plastic rectangular front plate comprises two support structures, arranged at opposite sides of the back surface of the front plate.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, the back surface comprises two support structures protruding in a plane substantially perpendicular to the back surface and extending substantially the length of opposite sides of the back surface of the front plate such that the thickness of the front plate in the direction from the front surface to the back surface is increased towards the middle and reduced towards the ends of the front plate side.

The support structures are preferably arranged at the same sides of the front plate to which the side plates coupled. In accordance with an embodiment of front plate, the two support structures are arranged to abut the side plates.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, the front plate further comprises an abutment surface arranged to abut a filter holding structure when mounted thereto.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a V-type filter frame for receiving at least one filter media pack, said V-type filter frame being arranged to be mounted to a filter holding structure, the V-type filter frame comprising a molded plastic rectangular front plate as described herein with reference to the first aspect, the front plate having a having front surface and a back surface, and first and second side plates coupled to the back surface of the front plate.

In accordance with an embodiment of the V-type filter frame, the back surface comprises two support structures protruding in a plane substantially perpendicular to the back surface and extending substantially the length of opposite sides of the back surface of the front plate, characterized in that said opposite sides are the same sides of the front plate to which the side plates coupled.

In accordance with an embodiment of the V-type filter frame, the two support structures are arranged to abut the side plates.

In accordance with an embodiment of the V-type filter frame, the side plate has at least one V-shaped plate portion extending between a front edge portion and an opposite rear edge portion of the side plate, with the mouth of the V shaped portion facing the front edge portion, said at least one V-shaped portion being defined by a channel arranged to receive a side edge of a media pack.

In accordance with an embodiment of the V-type filter frame, the front plate comprises an abutment surface arranged to abut a filter holding structure.

The provision of an abutment surface on the front plate ensures optimal sealing properties between the filter holding structure and the filter frame.

In accordance with an embodiment of the V-type filter frame, a sealing member is provided at the abutment surface of the front plate.

In accordance with an embodiment of the V-type filter frame, the sealing member comprises a compressible sealing strip.

In accordance with an embodiment of the V-type filter frame, the front plate is coupled to the side plates by means of a snap-lock element. A mechanical locking element such as a snap-lock will allow a person working with the mounting of the filter assembly to handle the frame assembly even before an adhesive has been supplied thereto.

In accordance with an embodiment of the V-type filter frame, a rear plate is engaged with rear edge portions of the first and second side plates by means of a snap lock element. Similar to the use of snap-lock element between the front plate and side plates, this makes the structure easier to handle during assembly.

In accordance with third aspect of the present invention, a V-type filter assembly comprising a filter frame as described herein and at least one filter media pack arranged in the filter frame is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a filter assembly comprising a molded plastic rectangular front plate according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of an embodiment of a filter frame comprising a molded plastic rectangular front plate according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a molded plastic rectangular front plate according to the invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic side views of embodiments of a molded plastic rectangular front plate according to the invention;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are cross-sectional views of filter frame parts of the filter frame.

It is to be noted that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention, and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. Other, equally effective embodiments may also be encompassed by the invention as claimed. It is contemplated that features of one embodiment may also be incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment of the V-type filter assembly 100, shown in FIG. 1, it comprises an embodiment of the filter frame 102, and several, in this embodiment six, media packs 104 carried by the filter frame 102. Although the invention will be described with reference to a 3V embodiment, it is understood that the invention is equally applicable to 1V, 2V, 4V or more V configurations, i.e. filter assemblies comprising 2, 4, 8, or more filter media packs. The media packs 104 can be of any suitable kind, but typically each media pack 104 comprises a sheet of filter media, which has been pleated to an accordion shape in order to increase the effective filtering area of the filter body. Although the filter is shown having pleated filter media packs, it is contemplated that the filter media packs may be comprised of carbon beds or other gas phase filter medium. The filter media pack 104 may be suitable for at least one of liquid phase, gas phase, particulate or molecular filtration. In one embodiment, the filter media pack 104 may be a molecular filtration media, such as bed of carbon or other gas phase absorber.

The filter frame 102 comprises a front plate 110, two

side plates

112 a, 112 b and a rear plate 114, embodied by three separate plate elements 116. V-type filters are provided in a wide variety of sizes. A common type has a substantially square front plate of about 600×600 mm. The height of the front plate may vary, but is often 20 mm or 25 mm.

The air flow direction through the filter is indicated by arrow 106. The direction of the arrow 106 is orientated as V-type filters are typically utilized, but it is contemplated that flow direction through the filter may also be in the reverse direction.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the filter frame without the filter media packs. The front plate 110 is rectangular and comprises a peripherally extending rim 118, and

parallel troughs

120 a, 120 b extending between opposite rim sides 122 a, 122 b of the front plate 110. The front plate 110 is formed in a single piece, having a first coupling portion 124 a comprising a first groove 126 a at rim side 122 a, configured to receive the front edge portion 128 a of the first side plate, and a second coupling portion 124 b (not shown in FIG. 1) comprising a second groove 126 b at rim side 122 b, configured to receive the front edge portion 128 b of the second side plate. Each groove 126 extends along a respective portion of the rim 118 at an inside thereof, and adjacent thereto. The

side plates

112 a, 112 b are arranged at the opposite rim sides 122 a, 122 b of the front plate 110. The side plates include an exterior side and an interior side. Referring now to FIG. 1, the interior side of each side plate faces the filter elements. Each side plate 112 has a front edge portion 128, adapted to be received in the groove 126. Each side plate 112 extends perpendicular to the front plate 110, and rearwards therefrom. The media packs 104 are plate shaped and extend obliquely substantially in the direction of the air flow from the front plate 110, although they extend close to perpendicular to the front plate 110. The media packs 104 are arranged side by side, leaning alternately to one side and to the other side, thereby forming a zigzag structure. More particularly, they are arranged in pairs, each pair forming a V shape, such that the mouth of the V shape faces the front plate 110. A front edge of each media pack 104 is received in one of the troughs 120, and apertures 130 between the troughs 120 are aligned with the mouths of the V shapes. Each side plate 112 has three V-shaped portions 134 extending between the front edge portion 128 and an opposite rear edge portion 136 of the side plate 112, with the mouth of each V-shaped portion 134 facing the front edge portion 128. The V-shaped portions 134 are joined along a minor fraction of their length, extending from the mouth towards the other end, while there are gaps between them along a major part of their length. Reinforcing elements 154 may be provided extending between two adjacent V-shaped portions to further increase the structural rigidity of the side plate 112. These reinforcing elements 154 can also serve as handles when handling the side plates 112 or (semi-) assembled filter frame assemblies 100. Each V-shaped portion 134 is defined by a channel, having side walls 138. Each V-shaped channel has is adapted to receive side edge portions, of two media packs 104. Of course, it is also possible within the scope of the appended claims for the side plates 112 to have additional or less than three V-shaped portions, such as one, two, four or more. Also, the side plates 112 may not have V-shaped portions at all but may for example be provided in the form of covering having a rectangular or trapezoidal shape or similar without openings between adjacent pairs of media packs. Each plate element 116 of the rear plate 114 covers rear edge portions of two media packs 104 forming a V-shape. The plate elements 116 each extend between, and are attached to, a respective fraction of the rear edge portion 136 of each side plate 112. Consequently, the front plate 110, the side plates 112, and the rear plate 114 support each other to form a strong filter frame 102, which carries the media packs 104.

The front plate 110 consists of a single molded plastic element having a front surface 110 a and a back surface 110 b. The front plate 110 is rectangular and comprises a peripherally extending rim 118, and parallel troughs 120 extending between opposite rim sides 112 a, 122 b of the front plate 110. The rim 118 typically has a substantially rectangular cross section and may be formed of solid plastic, but is typically formed at least partially hollow to reduce weight and material consumption. The troughs 120 comprise an open channel structure defined by a bottom wall and two opposing longitudinal side walls. The ends of the open channel structure are defined by the opposite rim sides 112 a, 122 b of the front plate and grooves 126 such that the inner volume of the troughs communicates with the grooves 126. The front plate comprises two side troughs 120 a arranged adjacent and parallel to opposite rim sides 132 a, 132 b. The side troughs 120 a are configured to receive the front edge portion of the first and last filter media pack respectively. In a 1V configuration these may be the only troughs. In a 2V, 3V, or more V, configuration the front plate comprises additional intermediate trough(s) 120 b arranged between the side troughs 120 a. The intermediate troughs 120 b are each configured to receive the adjacent front edge portions two adjacent filter media packs 104. Thus, a 2V configuration will have one intermediate trough, a 3V configuration will have two intermediate troughs, etc.

The front plate 110 comprises several different integral functional portions. The functional portions include

coupling portions

124 a, 124 b for connecting the front plate 110 to the

side plates

112 a, 112 b, troughs 120 for receiving the front edges of the filter media packs 104, and an abutment surface 140 for mounting and sealing the front plate against a holding structure, such as a filter housing or filter bank grid (not shown). The abutment surface 140 typically has a sealing member 142, here in the form of a sealing strip made from polyurethane or similar. As will be described below, the filter frame assembly is to be fastened by means of clamps or similar, which firmly press the filter frame assembly against a filter holding structure, such as a filter housing or filter bank grid (not shown). When this is done the sealing member 142 will be compressed.

The front plate 110 further has two

support structures

150 a, 150 b (referred to commonly as 150) for improving the resistance to deformation of the front plate. Each support structure 150 consists of a plate-like element protruding in a plane substantially perpendicular to the back surface 110 b of the front plate 110 and extending substantially the length of a peripheral side of the back surface of the front plate such that the thickness of the front plate in the direction from the front surface 110 a to the back surface 110 b is increased towards the middle and reduced towards the ends of the front plate side. In a lateral view as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the support structure 150 may have the shape of a circular segment. The

support structures

150 a, 150 b are arranged directly adjacent the

grooves

126 a, 126 b configured to receive the front edge portions of the side plates.

In one embodiment, the support structures 150 extend over about 95% of the length of the side 122 of the back surface 110 b of the front plate. In another embodiment, the support structures extend over about 80% of the length of the side 122 of the back surface of the front plate. The support structures have a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm and a maximum height of the support structure, i.e. the height of the support structure where the perpendicular protrusion is highest, in the range of 20 mm to 40 mm.

The front plate 110 is manufactured by injection molding of a suitable thermoplastic, e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer. The addition of the

support structures

150 a, 150 b to the back surface 110 b of the front plate causes the centre of gravity of the front plate to be displaced in a direction from the front surface to the back surface of as compared to an identical front plate side but without the support structure. This induces an internal tension in the molded plastic material during injection molding, which tension counteracts the stress on the front plate caused by the air pressure load during use.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate 110, the centre of gravity of the front plate is displaced a distance corresponding to at least 10%, such as at least 15%, such as at least 20%, of the height of the front plate without the support structure. In a front plate having a height, without the support structure, of 20 mm, this would correspond to a displacement of centre of gravity of the front plate by at least 2 mm, such as at least 3 mm, such as at least 4 mm. In a front plate having a height, without the support structure, of 25 mm, this would correspond to a displacement of centre of gravity of the front plate by at least 2.5 mm, such as at least 3.75 mm, such as at least 5 mm.

The support structure extends along a major portion of the length of a peripheral side of the back surface of the front plate. By “a major portion of the length” is meant at least 50% of the length of a side of the back surface of the front plate. In accordance with an embodiment, the support structure extends along at least 50%, such as at least 60%, such as at least 70%, such as at least 80%, such as at least 90%, of the length of a side of the back surface of the front plate.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, the thickness of the support structure is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, such as in the range of 1 mm to 4 mm, such as in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, the maximum height of the support structure, i.e. the height of the support structure where the perpendicular protrusion is highest, is in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm, such as in the range of 10 mm to 40 mm, such as in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm.

In accordance with an embodiment of the molded plastic rectangular front plate, the maximum height of the support structure, i.e. the height of the support structure where the perpendicular protrusion is highest, amounts to in the range of 10 to 80%, such as in the range of 20 to 70%, such as in the range of 30 to 60%, of the thickness of the front plate in the direction from the front surface to the back surface.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show two different embodiments of the front plate 110.

FIG. 4a shows a front plate having a height, without the support structure, of 20 mm. Centre of gravity without the support structure is 10 mm from the front surface. Centre of gravity with the support structure is 15.71 mm from the front surface. In this embodiment, the support structure extends along about 90% of the length of a side of the back surface of the front plate.

FIG. 4b shows a front plate having a height, without the support structure, of 25 mm. Centre of gravity without the support structure is 12.5 mm from the front surface. Centre of gravity with the support structure is 16.46 mm from the front surface. In this embodiment, the support structure extends along about 80% of the length of a side of the back surface of the front plate.

In the V-type filter frame, the inner volume of the troughs 120 may optionally communicate with the grooves 126. This allows for a fluid added to the troughs 120 to flow, by force of gravity or capillary force into the grooves 126. As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b , the troughs 120 are fluidly connected with the grooves 126 by channels 160 starting at the bottom 162 of the troughs 120, where the side plates 112 are connected to the front plate 110. In an embodiment, the bottom portion of the troughs of the front plate is sloped downward towards the coupling portions of the front plate so as to direct fluid in the trough towards the fluid connections. This ensures that fluid added to the troughs 120 is brought into contact with the channels 160. The troughs may also be provided with glue guides, e.g. in the form of protrusions at the bottom portion of the troughs creating a distance between the filter media pack edge and the trough bottom, to allow adhesive to spread more efficiently in the trough.

The depth of the groove 126 is slightly larger than the length of the front edge portion 128 of the side plate to be inserted. Accordingly when the side plate 112 is coupled to the front plate 110, a void 164 is formed in the groove 126 between the front plate and the front edge portion of the side plate.

According to an embodiment, the channel 160 is such that a fluid deposited in the trough 120 can pass through said channel and into a void 164 in the groove between the front plate and the front edge portion of the side plate. The channel typically has a depth of about 0.1-0.5 mm. The width of the channel is typically greater than the depth and typically above 1 mm, such as above 5 mm or above 10 mm. The width of the channel is typically below 100 mm. The length of the channel, i.e. the distance between the bottom of the trough and the void is typically below 100 mm.

An important part of the filter frame structure is the engagement between the side plates 112 and the front plate 110. As mentioned above, each one of the side plates 112 has been received in a respective groove 126 of the front plate 110. The grooves and front edge portions of the side plates are shaped to fit together. The shape and dimensions of the grooves may vary along the length of the groove. For example, the shape of the groove where the troughs connect to the rim 118 is different from the shape of the groove between the troughs 120. Correspondingly, the shape of the front edge where the troughs connect to the rim 118 is different from the shape of the front edge between the troughs. In order to secure a proper engagement between the front plate 110 and the side plates 112, each side plate, as shown in FIG. 2, is provided with retainment members 144, and the front plate 110 is provided with a complementary retainment members 146 for each side plate 112. The retainment members 144 of each side plate 112 comprise a snap-lock element. The complementary retainment member 146 comprises a recess. When the side plate 112 is connected to the front plate 110, the snap-lock element is received in the recess. Thereby the side plate 112 is in fixed engagement with the front plate 110. The retainment members and complementary retainment members ensure a reliable coupling between the side plates 112 and the front plate 110 even without the use of any adhesives such that the filter frame can be handled, e.g. lifted and moved around, without the need of any temporary securing means or similar.

The filter frame is assembled as follows. The front plate 110, comprising the grooves 126 at the two opposite rim sides 112 a, 122 b thereof is provided. The first and second side plates 112 are provided and mounted at the front plate 110. For each side plate 112 the mounting includes inserting a front edge portion 128 of the side plate 112 into a respective groove 126, and forcing the retainment members 144 into engagement with the complementary retainment members 146 of the front plate 110. Thereby a part of the filter frame 102 which is ready to receive the media packs 104 has been assembled. In order to complete the assembling process to a complete filter assembly 100, the next step thus is to mount the media packs 104 and then the plate elements 116 of the rear plate 114 are mounted, wherein they are forced into engagement with the rear edge portions 136 such that snap-lock elements 148 of the side plates 112 snaps into a locking position in the corresponding part in each rear plate 116. As mentioned earlier, the filter assembly is now ready to be handled and could for example be transported to a different location without the necessity of any temporary securing means or similar.

And then, in a last step of assembling the filter frame, an adhesive is used to seal and fixate the filter assembly 100. Adhesive is used to seal and fixate the filter packs to the troughs of the front and rear plates and to the channels of the side plates.

Adhesive may also be used to seal and fixate the connections between the front plate, side plates and rear plate(s). The mere presence of adhesive in the spaces between the different constructional details will prevent the snap-lock elements from leaving their locked position, which adds rigidity to the structure even before the adhesive has cured. Obviously, curing will further increase rigidity and stability of the structure by bonding the front plate, side plates and rear plate(s) together. Since the retainment members 144 will be glued into engagement with the complementary retainment members, the snap-lock connection will become even stronger.

Thereafter, the filter frame assembly 100 is inserted and secured to a filter holding structure, such as a filter housing or filter bank grid (not shown). Typically, the filter frame assembly is clamped to the filter holding structure by means of a plastic or metal clamp which is fixed to the filter holding structure by means of a bolt and a fly nut or similar. Thereby, the filter frame assembly can be tightly squeezed between the clamp and the filter holding structure without the use of through bolts or similar that would jeopardize tightness of the construction. When in use, the forces acting on the filter media packs 104 due to the air flow therethrough will be counteracted by the support structures and the internal tension in the front plate, such that the sealing properties between the front plate and the filter holding structure, and between the side plates 112 and the front plate 110, can be maintained at all times.

While the invention has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A V-type filter frame for receiving at least one filter media pack, said V-type filter frame being arranged to be mounted to a filter holding structure, the V-type filter frame comprising a molded plastic rectangular front plate having a front surface and a back surface, and first and second side plates coupled to the back surface of the front plate, wherein the back surface comprises two support structures protruding in a plane substantially perpendicular to the back surface and extending along a major portion of the length of opposite sides of the back surface of the front plate, said opposite sides being the same sides of the front plate to which the side plates are coupled, such that the thickness of the front plate in the direction from the front surface to the back surface is increased towards the middle and reduced towards the ends of the front plate side.

2. A V-type filter frame according to claim 1, wherein the front plate is manufactured by injection molding.

3. A V-type filter frame according to claim 1, wherein a lateral view of each support structure has the shape of a rounded segment.

4. A V-type filter frame according to claim 1, wherein each support structure is arranged to protrude into an opening of the filter holding structure when mounted to said filter holding structure.

5. A V-type filter frame according to claim 1, wherein each support structure causes the centre of gravity of the front plate to be displaced in a direction from the front surface to the back surface of the front plate as compared to the same front plate side without the support structure.

6. A V-type filter frame according to claim 1, wherein the presence of the support structures induces an internal tension in the molded plastic material, which tension counteracts the stress on the front plate caused by the air pressure load during use.

7. A V-type filter frame according to claim 1, wherein the front plate further comprises an abutment surface arranged to abut a filter holding structure when mounted thereto.

8. A V-type filter frame according to claim 1, wherein the two support structures are arranged to abut the side plates.

9. A V-type filter assembly comprising a filter frame according to claim 1 and at least one filter media pack arranged in the filter frame.

10. A V-type filter frame according to claim 2, wherein a lateral view of each support structure has the shape of a rounded segment.

11. A V-type filter frame according to claim 2, wherein each support structure is arranged to protrude into an opening of the filter holding structure when mounted to said filter holding structure.

12. A V-type filter frame according to claim 2, wherein each support structure causes the centre of gravity of the front plate to be displaced in a direction from the front surface to the back surface of the front plate as compared to the same front plate side without the support structure.

13. A V-type filter frame according to claim 4, wherein each support structure causes the centre of gravity of the front plate to be displaced in a direction from the front surface to the back surface of the front plate as compared to the same front plate side without the support structure.

14. A V-type filter frame according to claim 2, wherein the presence of the support structures induces an internal tension in the molded plastic material, which tension counteracts the stress on the front plate caused by the air pressure load during use.

15. A V-type filter frame according to claim 4, wherein the presence of the support structures induces an internal tension in the molded plastic material, which tension counteracts the stress on the front plate caused by the air pressure load during use.